John Cusack denies Jeremy Piven envy

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Actor John Cusack says that fellow actor Jeremy Piven's recent success is not why their friendship failed.

Piven reportedly hinted in an article in Best Life Magazine that his popularty on HBO's "Entourage" ruined their friendship, People Magazine reported Wednesday.

Asked how Cusack had handled his success, Piven told the magazine, "No comment. I mean, you could fill in the blank, I bet."

But Cusack told People that, "It's quite the contrary. I am very happy for Jeremy. I wish him the best and I always have."

Cusack and Piven seemed to be partners in crime after Cusack studied acting at Chicago's Piven Theatre Workshop, which was run by Piven's parents.

After that Piven played in Cusack's films "Say Anything," "Grosse Pointe Blank" and "Runaway Jury" until he became Ari Gold on "Entourage."